"We just had a very good conversation, she's a terrific person," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on 14/1, announcing a phone call with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

This appeared to be the first direct dialogue between U.S. and Venezuelan leaders since Washington's operation to arrest President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on 3/1.

President Trump later said he discussed various topics with Rodriguez, including oil, minerals, trade, and national security. "We're making great progress," he stated.

President Trump (left) and interim President Rodriguez. _AP_

Rodriguez posted on social media the same day, describing the phone call with the U.S. leader as "productive, courteous, and mutually respectful." The Venezuelan leader added that both sides discussed "a bilateral agenda for the benefit of both peoples, as well as outstanding issues in the relationship between the two governments."

Following the U.S. arrest of Maduro and his wife, President Trump declared Washington would "run" the Caribbean nation during a transition period and exploit its oil reserves for many years. On 7/1, he stated the U.S. would oversee Venezuela for an extended period and rebuild the nation to be "extremely profitable."

Rodriguez was appointed interim president after the U.S. arrested Maduro, but Venezuelan security forces and militias remained under the control of hardliners.

Interim President Rodriguez has recently sent mixed signals regarding her willingness to cooperate with the U.S. On one hand, she has consistently criticized the arrest of Maduro as illegal and firmly opposed foreign intervention. On the other hand, she has accepted negotiations with Washington on oil and explored re-establishing diplomatic relations.

By Thanh Tam (AFP)